Pep Guardiola, according to Lionel Messi, is the best coach he has ever had, but Messi claimed that football has really been “harmed” by the manager’s success.
The duo spent four years together on a magical Barcelona team that captured numerous trophies, including three La Liga championships, two Copas del Rey, and two Champions Leagues.
Guardiola has continued to be successful since leaving Camp Nou in 2012, winning league championships with Bayern Munich and Manchester City, where he presently works.
Despite Messi and Barcelona’s continuing success after Guardiola left, some believe Barca never fully attained the same standards as they did while under his leadership. In recent seasons, the club has also been plagued by dire financial issues.
Messi is grateful for everything Guardiola did for his career and for football as a whole, especially with the benefit of hindsight.
“Pep is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Messi told Movistar as quoted by 90min.
“Everything he planned always ended up happening. He is special in the way he sees things, prepares for matches, and communicates.
“Guardiola did a lot of harm to football too because it seemed too easy, so simple that everyone wanted to copy it. Later I found many ‘Guardiolas’ out there, and you realize what we did, what that was.”
Guardiola has frequently stated that Messi is the greatest player to ever play the game, demonstrating the mutual respect between the two.
“He is the best player of all time,” Guardiola said in 2015.
“I compare him with Pele. I am so happy to see this football.”
As he attempts to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar, Messi has the opportunity to further establish his greatness.
